Aftermath

Court challenge

The Disability Rights Center of Maine filed a lawsuit in federal court in Maine on behalf of three individuals who were under guardianship because of mental illness in 2000. The lawsuit challenged the constitutionality of the relevant part of Section 1 of Article II of the Maine Constitution. Ultimately, the case failed to repeal or modify this constitutional language.[4]

Text of measure

Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to remove the language providing that all persons under guardianship for reasons of mental illness are disqualified from voting?
[5]

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Constitutional changes

The full text of the constitutional changes proposed by this measure can be read here.

Intent and content

The following description of the intent and content of this measure was provided in the Citizen's Guide to the referendum election:

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This proposed constitutional amendment would delete a provision currently a part of the Maine Constitution that a person is ineligible to vote if under guardianship for reasons of mental illness. If the provision is deleted, all persons under guardianship for reasons of mental illness will be eligible to vote.
[5]